Turn it down

The debut seven-track EP by a new local
“post art pop” band, Language, will be released Thursday at Mac’s Bar.
Language, which features Chris Minarik (guitar/vocals), Bobby Sullivan
(guitar/synth) and drummer Joseph Dellgowan, is influenced by Girls, Yo
La Tengo, Joy Division, Wire and an assortment of other British
post-punk bands and classic American pop groups. The band formed back in
the fall of 2011 and spent most of that time working on the new EP.
This will be its first show. For more information, visit:
languagemusic.org. Warming up the stage is a pair of local
lo-fi rock-n-rollers, Racket Ghost and The Peoples Temple. Also taking
the stage is the Kalamazoo-based band Jake Simmons & the Little
Ghost — which dropped a vinyl LP of soulful rock on John Krohn’s Lower Peninsula Records label in late 2011.

For those looking to rock on a limited
budget, Thursday at Moriarty’s may be the spot. A roster of
rough-around-the-edges roots rockers will perform. There
is no cover. Lonesome Wyatt & the Holy Spooks (Madison, Wis.)
features Wyatt, guitarist/vocalist of Those Poor Bastards, a dark-folk
band. Wyatt released albums on Tribulation Recording Co., his DIY label. Also performing is Joseph Huber, a member of the Milwaukee-based
.357 String Band, a “streetgrass” outfit. Rounding out the bill is The
Devils Cut, a local four-piece folk-rock-bluegrass band that formed in
2010.

The Lansing-based jazz outfit 496 West
opens for smooth-jazz saxophone star Eric Darius Friday at the Holt
Performing Arts Complex. The group, which released its self-titled debut
earlier this month, will lay down its upbeat mix of contemporary jazz,
vocals, gospel, and R&B. Since it formed in July 2008, 496 West has
opened for Grammy-nominated artists like Gerald Albright and Kirk
Whalum, saxman Euge Groove and smooth jazz guitarist Tim Bowman, to only
name a few. For more information about the show visit:
bmrwpromotions.com. Word is, after the concert, an after party “meet and
mingle” will happen at Smokey Bones Bar & Fire Grill at Eastwood
Towne Center.

Five heavy-hitting bands play Blackened
Moon Saturday, including Cadillac-based bands Major Disappointment (Oi!
from Cadillac) and Destination Morgue (death-core metal). Also ripping
it up is Ponyworm (stoner/doom from the U.P.), BerT (local sludge/doom),
and Bruxism (Michigan-based grind). Ponyworm is
a Marquette band that plays “grunge/blues rock/stoner metal.” The band,
which includes Pat Haydon (guitar, vocals), James Hegmegee (bass), and
Devyn Rice (drums), draws influence from the likes of Black Sabbath,
Electric Wizard, Nirvana and The Black Keys.

If you love to break out the swimming suit whether there’s
a pool around or not, you’re in luck. Spiral Video & Dance Bar is
hosting “Pool Party” Saturday night. While there is no actual pool,
guests are encouraged to show up in their finest swimwear. “It’s
simple, wear your swimsuit,” the flier states. It’s the best of all
worlds: no prune fingers, no harmful UV rays, no yellowjackets, plenty
of skin. Loud Top 40 tunes spun by DJ John Cruz will pump up the
beach-party vibe. Also, for those 21 and over, admission is free (and $1 off everything) before 11 p.m.

Looking to perform your music in front of
a live audience? Tuesday Night Open Mic at Dagwood’s might be the spot.
Jen Sygit, a veteran local singer/songwriter, hosts the event, which is
open to seasoned musicians as well as rookies. Depending on the
night, you might hear folk, blues, bluegrass, old-time, swing, jazz or
folk-rock. Artists sign up for three songs (or 15 minutes, whichever
comes first). People are required to bring their own instruments, but a
four-channel PA and two microphones are supplied. For more information
visit: dagwoodstavern.com.

Saddle Creek Records recording artists Cursive plays an all-ages show Tuesday at The Loft along with openers
American Opera and The Playback. Cursive, an Omaha-based band, recently
released its seventh LP, “I Am Gemini,” on the post-hardcore band’s
long-time label Saddle Creek, which was co-founded by their friend,
songwriter Conor Oberst, aka Bright Eyes. Cursive has been playing
classic-emo-inspired indie rock since 1995.